www.iaset.us editor@iaset.us IDEOLOGY, POETRY, AND INSTITUTION: A REPRESENTATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL LIFE IN LINDSAY ANDERSON'S FILM “IF.…” IMAN A. HANAFY Associate Professor, Department of English Literature, Faculty of Arts, Benha University, Egypt ABSTRACT This study is based on the representation of British public school life in Lindsay Anderson’s film “If…”, particularly in relation to the ideology and conventions governing public school as an institution which is supposed to provide a genuine education. Lindsay, the film director introduces a fictional construct of public school world while not real, it has much to say in a fictitious manner. Lindsay avoids the realistic for a condensing poetic force. This poetic expression can be the most expressive in speaking the truth and giving a voice to the unheard. “If….” lays bare the inherently political nature in British public school. The school basic tenet is to nurture political agenda that determine the role of power and ideology in the socio-historical construction of such institution. KEYWORDS: Ideology, Educational Institution, British Public School, Poetry, Imperialism. British Empire INTRODUCTION “If….” is a British film that was released in December 19, 1968 and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was produced and directed by Lindsay Anderson. The film stars Malcolm McDowell, Richard Warwick, and David Wood played the roles of Travis, Wallace, and Knightly. They are the Crusaders who launch an attack on the custom and tradition of their school. “If….” is mainly a criticism of British public school life. This study is based on the representation of British public school life in Lindsay Anderson’s film “If....”, particularly in relation to the ideology and conventions governing public school. As an important educational institution, the primary role of the school as a conveyor of ideology proved dominant. “If….” lays bare the inherently political nature in British public school. The school basic tenet is to nurture political agenda that determine the role of power and ideology in the socio-historical construction of such institution. As a work of art, the film swings between white, black, and color photography in which reality and fantasy merge. Anderson, the film director introduces a fictional construct of public school world while not real; it has much to say in a fictitious manner. Lindsay avoids the realistic for a condensing poetic force. This poetic expression can be the most expressive in speaking the truth and conveying a real picture of public school in Britain during the sixties. Michel Duran explains: Anderson does not deny himself access to fantasy. He blends the outmost realism with the vagaries of his imagination, just as he mixes together black and white and color. In the process he throws off the rational spectator but delights the true cinema lover. Traditionally, British public schools refer to educational institutional independence which is not based on religion or social classes. These schools are exclusively boys' boarding schools that are under public administration. It is basically International Journal of Linguistics and Literature (IJLL) ISSN(P): 2319-3956; ISSN(E): 2319-3964 Vol. 4, Issue 3, Apr - May 2015, 7-16 © IASET